To upgrade or not to upgrade

stasek · October 13, 2006

that is the question....

So I've been playing golf since last August.... Started with basic Wilson all-in-one set and earlier this season a friend of mine gave me (yes, what a nice guy :drinks: ) a set of Ping I3+ irons. I'm pretty short (5'10") and I'm quite sure the pings, which are blue dot don't fit me at all. Now, that the golf season is almost over for us in Chicagoland, I'm getting a very serious case of upgradeitis.
I've already done some demoing and the early favorite is the Nike Pro Combos, but I also liked some offerings from Cleveland (CG4), Wilson (Pi5/Ci6), McGregof (M565), and couple other ones.
Do you think I would benefit from new sticks?
As far as my game goes, I don't have an official handicap, but I do track all my rounds using Yahoo handicap tracker and for what it's worth, it tells me I'm 13.2. My last several rounds have been in the 80s and last time out, I actually shot 38 on the front 9 of average course (6350/69.8/124).

My goal for next year is to get into single digit handicap and I keep telling myself it would be much easier with new irons :cheesy:

VEEMAN1152 · October 13, 2006

If your going to get new sticks then get fit, it will make whatever you get a good options.

abewley · October 13, 2006

1. i wouldn't cal 5'10" short

2. hit them... at 5'9" i play black dots... so they might work.

Tsukasa36 · October 13, 2006

Since you didn't play golf for so long, you should start our with a forgiving irons. I would recommend the CG4 because it is forgiving, but will improve your game in the long run. I don't know much about Wilsons or Mcgregors, but CG4 feels solid, also consider Taylormade R7 irons, they are amazing and forgiving..

p_haun · October 13, 2006

So I've been playing golf since last August.... Started with basic Wilson all-in-one set and earlier this season a friend of mine gave me (yes, what a nice guy :cheesy: ) a set of Ping I3+ irons. I'm pretty short (5'10") and I'm quite sure the pings, which are blue dot don't fit me at all. Now, that the golf season is almost over for us in Chicagoland, I'm getting a very serious case of upgradeitis.
I've already done some demoing and the early favorite is the Nike Pro Combos, but I also liked some offerings from Cleveland (CG4), Wilson (Pi5/Ci6), McGregof (M565), and couple other ones.
Do you think I would benefit from new sticks?
As far as my game goes, I don't have an official handicap, but I do track all my rounds using Yahoo handicap tracker and for what it's worth, it tells me I'm 13.2. My last several rounds have been in the 80s and last time out, I actually shot 38 on the front 9 of average course (6350/69.8/124).

My goal for next year is to get into single digit handicap and I keep telling myself it would be much easier with new irons :cheesy:

The ping fitting system is also based on swing path, I'm 5'10 and I have fit into a blue and black.

I agree with getting a correct fitting, it will make a huge difference.

And finally, Demo, Demo, Demo. You never know what you may find. The last club you think about could be the best fit for you and your game.

Enjoy the shopping :drinks:

stasek · October 13, 2006

Another reason I want to change is the shaft flex. I'm pretty sure I need stiff shafts (driver SS - ~110) and the pings are regular.

Speaking of fitting.... Can anybody recommend a good fitter in Chicago area? I don't want to just go to Golf Galaxy or Golfsmith. Looks like it's a hit or miss whether they'll fit you correctly.

Oaks · October 13, 2006

The Ping i3+ are what some may argue one of the better irons that have been produced in the past few years. If you like the irons and you seem to be progressing along nicely with them, I mean in just over a year you are now shooting in the mid 80's, which is pretty darn good.

If you are comfortable with your irons, which it appears you are, hve you looked into upgrading your woods, wedges and putter? You could also go to a Ping Fitter and have him look at if your specs are on par.

Another thing you may want to think about... Lessons at a local golf dome this winter?

While Fall is a great time to upgrade because a lot of companies are getting ready to discount products or bring out their new products, it is also a great time to assess what you really want and need while you are practicing over the winter.

JAT...

Matt

stasek · October 13, 2006

The Ping i3+ are what some may argue one of the better irons that have been produced in the past few years. If you like the irons and you seem to be progressing along nicely with them, I mean in just over a year you are now shooting in the mid 80's, which is pretty darn good.

If you are comfortable with your irons, which it appears you are, hve you looked into upgrading your woods, wedges and putter? You could also go to a Ping Fitter and have him look at if your specs are on par.

Another thing you may want to think about... Lessons at a local golf dome this winter?

While Fall is a great time to upgrade because a lot of companies are getting ready to discount products or bring out their new products, it is also a great time to assess what you really want and need while you are practicing over the winter.

JAT...

Matt

I've actually taken a series of lessons this summer, so I think I'm "lessoned out" for the time being. I've got one of my sessions on DVD, so I go back to it quite often.

As far as upgrading the other sticks, I don't know if it's going to make a big difference for me. I really like my driver (McGregor V-foil Eye-o-matic), and lately have been hitting it great (to boast a little... I reached a 550 yard par 5 in 2 - 330 yard drive - verified with range finder and 200-yard 24* hybrid to 12'. Missed the eagle putt, but tapped in for birdie :drinks: ).

When the driver is in the dog house, I use a Snake Eyes 600 3-wood which has also been treating me fairly well. And if that fails, there's always the trusty Wilson 5-wood (from my original starter set) which you would have to steal from my bag to take it out.

Other than that, I have a generic 24* hybrid which I really hit well, 5-PW pings, 52* generic GW (also great), 56* Cleveland 900 SW, and 60* TM LW.

golfernut78 · October 13, 2006

So I've been playing golf since last August.... Started with basic Wilson all-in-one set and earlier this season a friend of mine gave me (yes, what a nice guy :drinks: ) a set of Ping I3+ irons. I'm pretty short (5'10") and I'm quite sure the pings, which are blue dot don't fit me at all. Now, that the golf season is almost over for us in Chicagoland, I'm getting a very serious case of upgradeitis.
I've already done some demoing and the early favorite is the Nike Pro Combos, but I also liked some offerings from Cleveland (CG4), Wilson (Pi5/Ci6), McGregof (M565), and couple other ones.
Do you think I would benefit from new sticks?
As far as my game goes, I don't have an official handicap, but I do track all my rounds using Yahoo handicap tracker and for what it's worth, it tells me I'm 13.2. My last several rounds have been in the 80s and last time out, I actually shot 38 on the front 9 of average course (6350/69.8/124).

My goal for next year is to get into single digit handicap and I keep telling myself it would be much easier with new irons :cheesy:

i started golf in march of 03 and got a wilson all in one set too, wilson black jack. even got a matching wilson putter and harmonized sand and lob wedges (those are pretty good wedges, especially for $30). i made the small investment so if me and golf didn't work out, it wouldn't be a big loss with them sitting in the corner collecting dust.

a year later, i was buying nike pro combos. even as a 26 handicapper i was loving these irons. now today as a 14 handicapper (suck at putting and when it goes bad, it goes real bad) i'm still loving them. forgiveness and control all in one. its a iron that you will not grow out of.

as everyone else has already said, get fitted. i am fortunate enough that i got lucky with my irons that they fit me and my swing very well. after a year and a half i got a professional fitting for them and the only thing they would change is the flex in my shaft from 6.0 to 5.8, but said it wasn't worth the cost.